Page 48 of Warrior Princess
I nodded and managed a small smile. “Yes, just tired.” And I was. Blood weaving took a lot out of me. “But I agree with Mykal. We should continue to the refugee community before we encounter any more surprises.” With a nod, Ronan helped me mount my horse before mounting his own, and the soldiers quickly followed suit.
Mykal directed us onward, his gaze lingering on the landscape around us, wary of any further ambushes. The rest of the journey was undertaken with heightened vigilance. We knew the path to the Valorian refugee community would be fraught with more dangers than simply Keldara’s rugged terrain.
The landscape gradually softened,shifting from harsh, jagged terrain to a more gentle, undulating vista. The air grew fresher, tinged with the scent of pine and wildflowers, a stark contrast to the metallic tang of blood and sweat that clung to us during the fight. By evening we approached a secluded valley nestled between two rising cliffs. It was a perfect refuge hidden from the strife that plagued much of Keldara.
The entrance to the Valorian refugee community was marked by a simple, unobtrusive path lined with stones painted in soft blues and silvers, the colors of Valoria. After tying our horses to a ring of trees, we walked deeper into the community. Small homes constructed from wood and stone blended seamlessly into the natural environment, with smoke curling up from chimneys and the sound of playing children filtering through the air.
Most striking were the people moving about their daily tasks, each with the distinct crescent moon birthmark on their foreheads, a proud symbol of their Valorian heritage. Some carefully tended to gardens bursting with vibrant vegetables and herbs, while others busily mended clothes or crafted goods to trade. Their faces were marked by the trials they had endured, but they also carried a resilience that spoke of deep, unyielding strength.
As we entered the heart of the community, an older man with chestnut hair and a pronounced crescent moon on his forehead approached us. His deep blue eyes sparkled with curiosity and caution.
“Welcome,” he greeted as he openly scrutinized our party. “Commander Mykal, it’s been a while since you’ve been here. What brings you to our refuge?”
Mykal stepped forward to introduce us. “Good day, Severus. I hope all has been well for you and your people. We seek a midwife named Abigail. We were told she might be found here among your people. We hope you can help us.”
Severus nodded slowly, studying each of us in turn. “Abigail? Yes, she has helped many in our community. But she is no longer here. Come, we can speak more in my home. It’s best not to discuss this out in the open.” He waved us forward.
I frowned and looked over at Ronan, who only shrugged.
Severus directed us through the village, and I got the impression he was the unofficial leader of the small enclave. Curious faces peered out from behind doors and windows, children stopped their games to watch us pass, and whispers fluttered through the air like leaves in the wind. The sense of community here was palpable, each person seemingly connected to the others by invisible threads of shared history and hope.
Finally, we arrived at a small cottage located at the far end of the village, where the scent of herbs lingered in the air. When Severus opened the door and ushered us inside, the Keldaran soldiers remained outside, giving us privacy to speak freely.
The interior was an artful blend of rustic charm and practicality. A small fireplace was all that was needed to warm the modest home. The fire crackled and popped, casting a comforting glow across the worn wooden furniture. Shelves laden with books and jars filled with medicinal herbs lined the walls.
“You’re a healer?” I stepped further into the cozy room, drawn to the rows of dried plants and potions.
Severus turned with a twinkle in his eye as he touched the crescent moon birthmark on his forehead. “And you’re Valorian,” he replied with a warm smile.
Embarrassed, I smiled back. “Yes, I am.”
“Can I offer you all some tea?” Severus suggested. “I trade with merchants who pass through monthly and have teas from all over Asteria.”
“That would be wonderful, thank you,” Mykal responded gratefully.
While Severus busied himself with the tea, the three of us settled into the seating area near the fireplace. I wandered over to his collection of medicinal books captured in a scarred bookcase along the wall. Old, with worn covers and pages yellowed with age, each bore the promise of ancient knowledge, some detailing rare healing practices.
Severus returned with a tray with a cup of steaming tea for each of us. “Abigail left Keldara about five years ago,” he began as he handed out the tea. “Eldwain soldiers came for her in the night. It seemed like an invasion at first, but they came for just one woman.”
Mykal furrowed his brow. “Eldwain soldiers? Why weren’t we informed?”
“They paid our soldiers off. Valoria has a good relationship with Eldwain, so it was never reported,” Severus explained. “I remember it clearly because Abigail was the only midwife in our community. Her aid was very helpful. Now that she’s gone, we must send word to the capital to help our pregnant women.”
“Do you know why she fled Valoria? What brought her to Keldara?” I pressed, eager for any clue.
Severus shook his head, his earlier reserve returning to his placid expression. “We don’t pry here. Everyone has their reasons for coming to Keldara, and we respect their need for privacy.”
Well, that was no help.
Even so, I refused to think of it as a wasted trip. While we had to cross Keldara to reach the Valorian border and meet my brother and father anyway, I’d hoped we could find Abigail and solve the mystery of my alleged older sibling. I guess that was just wishful thinking.
Undeterred, Mykal slid a pouch of coins across the table toward Severus. “Anything you can tell us could help.”
Severus pushed the pouch back with a gentle laugh. “I appreciate the gesture, Commander, but I really have nothing more to share.”
Accepting the refusal, Mykal collected his coins. “Thank you for your hospitality, Severus.”
Severus shook hands with Mykal and Ronan as they walked out of his home. But when he shook mine, he pulled me toward him and whispered, “Beware of Abigail. She did not live a simple life in the palace. She was running from very dangerous people. It’s best not to go digging into things that should stay buried.”
